EDA continues without director

February 12, 2014

BERKELEY SPRINGS - The Morgan County Economic Development Authority has been operating without an economic development director since December, when Bill Clark resigned to take a position with Region 9.

Authority chairperson Beth Curtin has been filling in two days a week handling current projects, she has reported to EDA members. Board member George McVey has been fielding any incoming phone calls.

Until they find a new director, planning continues on projects such as a new water tank, and a new stormwater management plan at the Morgan County 522 Business Park, which they believe will encourage more business at the location.

All permits have been obtained for a 110,000-gallon water storage tank. Clark had originally hoped to secure a grant to pay for the tank, but instead received a $300,000 loan from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council. He'd reported that it's possible to have the loan forgiven in the future if the EDA meets certain job creation and retention goals.

Board members are reviewing bid documents and will post a request for proposal. Alpha Associates will spearhead the project. Bids will be opened Feb. 21.

A Community Participation Grant of $20,000 for planning the stormwater management facility, impacting four lots, has been received. The board adopted a resolution Jan. 28 to a $2,000, 10 percent match for the grant requirements.

The EDA has prepared a job description for a new director, and asked the county commission last week to approve it as well as the salary. The commission provides $51,360 salary plus $16,000 to $19,000 in benefits from the general fund. The EDA contributes $15,000 to the commission annually for salary and other purposes.

County Commission President Brad Close said the county's budget is extremely tight, and they will be having budget meetings in March. He said not to expect $50,000-plus from the county any longer, and that should be in consideration when setting a salary for the new director.

"We're up against it in levy rates," Close said. "We don't want to keep raising the rate. We need to make some cuts."

Board members said they wouldn't get a qualified person for less than about $50,000.

"The EDA is about jobs, getting people to work," Commissioner Stacy Dugan said. "It's one of the most important parts of a county. We need to have someone at a decent salary."

Commissioner Bob Ford said he believes there are parts of the director's job description that should fall under the county administrator, like property management/maintenance of The Pines Opportunity Center and Business Park. Ford wondered about a part-time position, at 20 hours per week, but Dugan did not agree.

Commissioners asked the EDA to make revisions to the job description. They will advertise the position for a likely salary range of $30,000 to $40,000.

The EDA purchased a new vehicle, and will have the county administrator put the retired Dodge Durango on a government surplus website for sale.

A meeting to discuss further details on a new EDA director search is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday in the commission room of the Morgan County Courthouse. The public is welcome.